RESIDENTS are continuing their battle against a proposed parking scheme, saying they fear their streets will become unofficial car parks.

Residents-only parking was introduced in Renny Street, Ellis Leazes, Kepier Terrace and Bakerhouse Lane, in Durham, in 2001, after consultation by Durham County Council.

But people living in the streets, behind Claypath, are incensed that the council is now looking at introducing pay-and-display schemes on several roads.

They have been further angered by the suggested parking charges for the area, which they say are less than in many of the city's car parks.

Marion Shepherd, who lives in Ellis Leazes said: "These are residential streets, not overflow car parks. If they are going to charge £1.50 a day to park here, these streets are going to be filled up with people. There will be no space left for residents."

The council has been monitoring the parking arrangements and found Renny Street and Ellis Leazes were lightly used by residents.

But those who live there say any survey of how many people are parking in the streets is unreliable, as the situation changes when students move in each September.

Derek Kenneth, of Renny Street, said: "There are quite a few student houses, we can never tell how many cars they are going to have. On one street of 14 houses, ten of them are student homes and they have all got at least three or four bedrooms."

A spokeswoman for Durham County Council said councillors had not made a decision on whether to install parking meters.

She said: "If we were to introduce parking meters, we would consult again with specific households and that would include the tariff. If we were to consult on such a proposal, it would be something like a short stay charge.